Cigab



Aug- 5, 1941- H. G. LEHMANN Re. 21,870

CIGAR LIGHTER Original Filed Dec. 51, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 56 59 zx F15].1 36 zo 62 40 am ,9,6 48 4f; 56 41 4652 ATTORN' Alg- 5, 1941. H. G.LEHMANN Re, 21,870

CIGAR LIGHTER l l Original Filed Dec. 31, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 93 l l 1l I l 1 l I l 9o gomogluoa |15 ,M19

H5 Ur? 84k! 95 Illa. "|96 80 104 10| 105 llO ` INVENTOR jle/'bert eizmez/m,

Reissued Aug. 5, 1941 CIGAR LIGHTER Herbert G. Lehmann, Bridgeport,Conn., assignor to Automatic Devices Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn., acorporation of Connecticut Original No. 2,229,174, dated January 21,194.1,

Serial No. 182,746, December 31, 1937.

Apphcation for reissue February 2,0, 1941, Serial No.

23 Claims.

This invention relates to cigar lighters and, more particularly, to anautomatic cigar lighter adapted to be mounted on the dashboard of anautomobile or the like.

In some of the current automatic cigar lighters, the circuit for theheating element is controlled by heat-responsive means positioned inheat-conducting relation with the heating element. The heating elementis usually held in closed-circuit position by a latch which is releasedby the heat-responsive means.

According to the present invention, the heating element is soconstructed and arranged that it itself will operate not only as aheating element but also as a heat-responsive means for releasing thelatches for holding the heating element in closed-circuit position. Withthis construction, the circuit will be opened when the heating elementhas been heated to a predetermined denite heat and will functionaccurately since it is not affected by heat losses or other factorsabove-mentioned.

In carrying out the invention, a heating element is mounted on anigniting unit by having one end secured thereto, in iixed relation. Theother end is disposed for movement relative to the igniting unit. Theheating element is carried by a movable insulated support, which isyieldably mounted on the body of the igniting unit. The movableinsulated support is provided with a pair of latches adapted to engagean abutment on the holder and normally hold the heating element andigniting unit in deep position in the holder in which position thecircuit to the heating `element is open.

When the operator desires to use the lighter, he merely grasps thehandle and pulls it outwardly. The heating element will remain in deepposition, but the igniting unit body will move outwardly a slightdistance to a position in which the circuit is closed to the heatingelement and the igniting unit held there by the action of the latches.Upon the heating element attaining its predetermined heat, the movableend of the heating element will have expanded or flexed suiciently tomove the latches out of engagement with the abutment, whereby theinsulated support moves under the urge of the yieldable mounting meansand carries the heating element into open-circuit position and alsoreleases the restraint on the igniting unit to outward pull so that theigniting unit can be readily removed from the holder.

. The heating element may be .of any material and of any shape. However,in the preferred (Cl. 21S-32) form of the invention, the heating elementis made of bimetallic material and is short and heavy, having asuflicient volume of metal to hold the heat long enough to permit thelighter to be used. With this heating element, the resistance iscomparatively low so that the heating element is brought to the desiredheat almost instantaneously, and the restraint of the igniting unit inits outward movement is merely momentary.

The holding device ci the present invention is cf unique construction inthat it is insulated from the dashboard and will not close the circuitthrough the heating element until the igniting unit body has been movedoutwardly, at which time contacts carried by the body will bridge theinsulation and complete the circuit to the heating element.

In another form of the invention, an igniting unit, having theinsulating support secured thereto, is positioned in a holder andyieldingly urged into a shallow open-circuit position.

As in the above form oi the invention, the heating element is mounted onthe igniting unit, with one end xed thereto and the other disposed forrelative movement. A pair of latches are connected to a movable part ofthe heating element and are carried by the insulating support on theigniting unit. When it is desired to use the lighter, the igniting unitis moved into deep circuit-closing position, in which position thelatches engage an abutment on the holder. When the heatng element hasacquired its predetermined heat, it will have expanded and movedsuiiiciently to cause the latches to be released from the abutment. Theigniting unit, which is noW ready for use, moves into opencircuitposition under the urge of yielding means. The movement into thisopen-circuit position will cause an audible click to indicate to theuser of the device that it is heated to the desired temperature for use.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the specification,taken in connection with the drawings, '1n which:

Figure 1 is a view. partly in section, of the igniting unit ininoperative position.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the device with the igniting unit inoperative position.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section` of the device, after the heatingelement has acquired its predetermined heat and the latches have beenreleased.

Fig. 4 is a section taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2 with the collarremoved.

Fig. is a section taken along line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the contact ring.

Fig. 'l is a View, partly in section, of a modified form of theinvention with the igniting unit in open-circuit position.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the modiiied form of theinvention with the igniting unit in closed-circuit position.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional View of the device with the heatingelement having attained its predetermined heat and the latches releasedfrom the abutment.

According to the present invention, a sheet metal holder 20 is providedat its open end with a threaded portion 29a. The holder is adapted to bemounted on the dashboard of an automobile but insulated therefrom bymeans of an insulating sleeve 2| which is provided with an internal rib22. A metal sleeve 23 is threaded into the bore of the insulating sleeveand into engagement with the internal rib. The metal sleeve is of such adiameter as to form a continuation of the inner surface of the internalrib and pro- `jects from the end of the insulating sleeve so as to passthrough an aperture in a dashboard 24. A collar or escutcheon plate 25is threaded on the metal sleeve and locks the insulating sleeve in aposition extending from the back of the dashboard. The threaded end 29aof the holder is threaded into the other end of the insulating sleeve soas to form a continuation of the bore therein, as will be seen in Figs.1 to 3. This provides a smooth bore for the reception of the ignitingunit to be mounted in the holder.

Intermediate the ends of the holder, an abutment 26 is formed so as toextend into the holder. The abutment is formed with the side facing theopen end of the holder tapered as at 26a and the other side thereof isformed With a slight 1 taper. This abutment may be formed by a separatemember welded in place, by rolling'an internal rib in the holder asshown in the preferred form of the invention, cr by any other suitablemeans.

The holder 2li is closed at its other end by a wall 21 in which ismounted a bolt 28. The bolt is completely insulated from the wall by aninsulating washer 2S provided with a neck projecting through the wall 21and another insulating washer 3i?. A bimetallic contact member 3l,having projecting contact nngers 3Ia, is positioned under the head ofthe bolt and clamped against the insulating washer 30 by a nut 32threaded on the bolt. The nut also serves to lock the bolt andinsulation in place in the aperture in the rear wall of the holder.

The contact 3l is connected to a source of energy by means of aconnector lug 33 mounted on the bolt and connected to a conductor 34ywhich is connected to the source of energy in the automobile. The lug islocked in place by a nut 35.

A plurality of vent openings 35 are formed in the holder 2B adjacent theheating element to provide for air circulation which Will cool thebimetallic contact fingers after the heating element has been energized.

The igniting unit, according to the present invention, has a main orinsulating body 4D comprising an insulating collar 4l and a handle 42threaded thereon. A movable member 43 is mounted to slide in the bore ofthe insulating body. The movable member is provided with an end abutment44, adapted to slide in the bore of A spring E5 surrounds the movablethe handle.

member with one end engaging the end abutment and the other end engagingthe insulating collar. The spring normally moves the movable memberoutwardly toward the front of the handle. The movable member is providedwith a stop or shoulder 4E intermediate its ends which engages thecollar 4|. This prevents the movable member from moving too far in theother direction so as to compress the spring too much. When the stop orshoulder engages the collar, the pull on the handle is transmitteddirectly to the latches.

The other end of the movable member projects from the insulating bodyand is threaded to receive an insulating support 4l, having a conductingcap 48 threaded thereon at its other end. A contact cup 49 is secured tothe conducting cap in electrical engagement therewith, as shown in Figs.2 and 3, and is adapted to engage the contacts 3m when moved into deepposition on the holder.

A heating element 5G is mounted in the contact'| cup so as to have oneend xed thereto and the other end disposed for movement relative to thesupport.

A rotatable stud 5I is mounted for rotation in the insulating supportand is provided at one end with a slot 52 in which is secured themovable end of the heating element. The stud is provided with a shoulder53 which bears against an insulating Washer 54 which insulates the samefrom the conducting cap and contact cup.

The insulating support is provided with a pair of guide slots 55extending to the end thereof adjacent the main body of the ignitingunit, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, which are adapted tQ receive a pair oflatches 55 pivotally mounted as at 51 to the ends of an arm 58. The armis provided With a central aperture adapted to be secured to the end ofthe stud 5l as by heading over the end of the stud, as shown in Fig. 4,or by any other means. The arm will give the necessary leverage formoving the latches in response to the movement of the heating element.After the latches have been positioned in the guide slots and the armsecured to the stud, a collar 59A is threaded on the end of theinsulating support to lock the assembly in place thereon.

When the heating element, latches, and collar have been assembled on theinsulating support, the latter is threaded to the end of the movablemember so that it is yieldably mounted on the igniting unit.

Clamped between the end of the handle and the insulating collar is acontact ring 62 provided with two pairs of contacts 63 and 64, adaptedto lie in slots 65 and BS in the handle. These contacts form bridgingcontacts for closing the circuit to the heating element, as will belater explained.

When the igniting unit is placed in the holder, it is normally held indeep position, as shown in Fig. 1. The latches are yieldingly mounted ornormally biased to engage the walls of the holder, so that, as theigniting unit is pressed inwardly, they engage the tapering surface 26aand are moved inwardly. and snap into latched relation when the heatingelement has been moved to deep position. In this position, the contacts63, carried by the igniting unit, engage the internal rib on theinsulating sleeve and, therefore, prevent the circuit from being closedto ground.

When it is desired to use the lighter, the user pulls on the ignitingunit in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 2, moving the main body ofthe igniting unit outwardly and compressing the spring 45 until theshoulder 46 engages the insulating collar. In this position, contacts 63will engage the metal sleeve and contacts B4 will engage the holder,and, as shown in Fig. 2, will bridge the insulation and connect, theholder to the metal sleeve, and thus to ground. This completes a circuitthrough the heating element to energize the same.

Upon the heating element being energized so as to obtain itspredetermined heat, the movable end of the heating coil will movesuiciently to rotate the stud and retract the latches from the abutments26. As soon as the latches are retracted, the insulating support snapsoutwardly under the urge of the spring and moves the contact cup out ofengagement with the contacts 3|a in the base of the holder to open thecircuit.

The movement of the insulating support, under the urge of the spring 45,will cause a resounding click when the insulating support hits theinsulating collar 4| and Will indicate toi the user that the heatingelement has attained its predetermined heat.

Also, the retardation to the outward pull on the igniting unit will beremoved when the heating element has attained its desired heat and thesame will move out of the holder in response to the pull on the ignitingunit by the user of the device.

Since the heating element comes to the desired heat substantiallyinstantaneously, the pull on the igniting unit is practicallycontinuous, the delay being merely momentary.

If, for any reason, the latches should fail to release or the heatingelement be held in closedcircuit position too long, the thermostaticcontact iingers 3 ia will iiex outwardly and open the circuit to preventthe heating element from l burning out.

its desire-d heat and the latches released, the

spring 45 will pull the handle back into opencircuit position.

It will thus be see-n that I have provided, in this form of theinvention, a cigar lighter having an entirely different arrangement ofparts and a new mode of operation. Instead of a portion of the ignitingunit being moved first inwardly from an open-circuit position to closethe circuit and then outwardly to remove the igniting unit from theholding device for use, the igniting unit of the present invention isnormally held in its deep position, and, upon a pulling force outwardlyof the holder being applied to a portion of the igniting unit, thecontacts 63, B4, carried by the igniting unit, are moved into positionto close the energizing circuit to the heating element. The circuit atthis switch means remains closed so long as the pull on the ignitingunit, incident to the removal of the cigar lighter from the holdingdevice, is maintained. The means holding the igniting unit in deepposition is released, upon the v heating element attaining the desiredheat, so that the continued outward pull will withdraw the igniting unitfrom the holding device and break the circuit. The entire operation,therefore, results from the application of a force to a portion of theigniting unit in an outward direction tending to withdraw the ignitingunit from the holding device.

In another form of the invention, a holder 80 is provided with a rolledor outwardly flared end 8|, adapted to engage the front face of adashboard when the holder is positioned in 1an aperture therein. Theother end of the holder is closed by an end Wall 82, provided with .acentral aperture 83, into which a sleeve 84, having external threads 84aand an outwardly progecting Iiange 84h, is threaded. n

A locking stirrup or bracket 85 is threaded on the external threads ofthe sleeve and extends into a position to engage the back of thedashboard to lock the holder in place thereon. The stirrup is locked inplace on the holder by a nut 81 threaded on the sleeve. A bolt 8B ismounted in the sleeve and is insulated therefrom by insulation 89. Acontact 90, preferably of bimetallic material and provided withoutwardly extending arms a, is positioned under the head of the bolt andclamped between the head of the bolt and the insulation, as shown inFig. 8. The bolt, insulation and contact are clamped in the sleeve by anut 9|. The bolt is connected to a source of energy in the automobile bya 4connector lug 92 mounted thereon and secured to a conductor 93connected to a battery or other suitable source of energy. The lug islocked in place by a nut 94.

Adjacent the bimetallic contacts, the holder is provided with ventopenings 95 to permit air to circulate around the contacts to cool thesame after the lighter h-as been used.

The holder is provided intermediate its ends with an internal abutment96. The abutment is formed, in the herein preferred form of theinvention, by rollingJ although it can be formed separately and securedtherein by welding or the like. It is so shaped as to provide a taperedsuriace 96a on the side of the abutment adjacent the open end of theholder and a slight taper on the other face thereof.

The igniting unit, in this form of the invention, comprises a body ofinsulation 98, having a reduced portion 99 to which is secured a handle|00. A friction sleeve |0| has a plurality of friction fingers 02 lancedtherefrom. The fingers are adapted to engage the holder to preventaccidental removal of the igniting unit therefrom when in normalposition. The sleeve is provided with an outer flared end |03 adapted toengage the rolled end 8| of the holder to limit the movement of thesleeve into the holder. The other end of the sleeve is provided with aninturned flange |04 adapted to be slidably mounted on the reducedportion on the body of insulation. An ejector spring |05 surrounds thereduced portion of the body of insulation with one end engaging theinturned ange on the friction sleeve and the other end engaging thehandle threaded on the body of insulating material. The spring normallyholds the igniting unit in shallow inoperative position.

The other end of the body of the insulating material is provided with areduced neck |05 for receiving an insulating support |01. The insulatingsupport has a conducting cap |08 threaded on its opposite end to whichis mechanically and electrically secured a contact cup |09.

A heating element I|0 is mounted in the contact cup with one end securedthereto and the other end disposed for relative movement with respect tothe igniting unit. The heating element has a movable part thereofsecured to a rotatable stud by means of a slot Illa. in the end thereof.The stud is rotatably mounted in the insulating support and is providedwith a shoulder H2 adapted to engage an insulating washer H3 to beinsulated from the conducting cap and contact cup. The other end of theinsulated support is provided with a pair of guide slots I I4 into whichis positioned a pair of latches II5 pivoted at H6 to the ends of an armH1.

The arm and latch assembly is slipped in the slots and secured to theend of the rotatable stud by heading over the same or in any othermanner. After the latches are in place, a locking collar IIB is threadedon the end of the support. The insulation support with its lassembledelements is then threaded into position on the reduced neck of the bodyof insulation of the igniting unit.

With this construction, the igniting unit is normally held in shallowopen-circuit position. When it is desired to use the lighter, theigniting unit is pressed into deep circuit-closing position and thelatches, which are normally yieldingly urged into engagement with theWalls of the holder, will engage the tapered surface 56a of the abutmentand move inwardly until the igniting unit is pushed past the abutment,at which time they spring out to engage the same and hold the contactcup for the heating element in engagement with the contacts in the base,thus closing a circuit through the heating element.

When the heating element attains its predetermined heat, the movablepart will ex or move suiiiciently to remove the latches from theabutment and the spring will cause the igniting unit to move intoopen-circuit position, which movement is accompanied by a click whichwill indi.- cate to the user that the heating element has acquired itspredetermined heat.

If the heating element is not released from circuit-closing position inits normal operation, the bimetallic elements in the base will eX andopen the circuit to prevent the same from being burnt out.

Accordingly, the invention provides a means for holding the ignitingunit in closed-circuit position and for releasing the heating elementfrom such position when it has acquired a predetermined heat, therelease of the holding means for the heating element being accomplishedby the heating element itself, thus avoiding difficulties oi operationcaused by a poor transfer of heat to a separate heat-responsive means.

Variations and modications may be made within the scope of thisinvention and portions of the improvements may be used Without others.

I claim:

1. In an electric cigar lighter, a holder; an igniting unit mounted inthe, holder for complete removal for use; a heating element mounted onthe igniting unit and adapted to be used to ignite smokers articles whenincandescent; means for normally holding the heating element andigniting unit in deep position on the holder; means for closing anenergizing circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit ismoved to an intermediate position on the holder, said holding meansholding the heating element in the deep position against outwardmovement with the igniting unit; and means responsive to the eX- pansionof the heating element when the latter has been heated to apredetermined heat to releasethe holding means whereby the heatingelement and igniting unit can be removed for 2. In an electric cigarlighter, a holder; an igniting unit mounted on the holder for completeremoval for use; a bimetallic heating element mounted' on the ignitingunit and adapted to be used to ignite smokers articles whenincandescent; means for closing a circuit through the heating element;means for holding the heating element in circuit-closing position in theholder; and means. responsive to the expansion of the bimetallic heatingelement, When the latter has been heated to a predetermined heat, torelease the holding means.

3. In an electric cigar lighter, a holder; an igniting unit mounted onthe holder for complete removal for use; a heating element mounted onthe igniting unit and adapted to be used to ignite smokers articles whenincandescent, one end of the heating element being iixed to the ignitingunit and the other end disposed for relative movement with respect tothe igniting unit; means for holding the heating element incircuit-closing position in the holder; and means operable by theheating element for releasing the holding means when the heating elementhas expanded to the heating thereof to the desired heat.

4. In an electricI cigar lighter, a holder; an igniting unit mounted inthe holder for complete removal for use; a heating element mounted onthe igniting unit and adapted to be used to ignite smokers articles whenincandescent; means for normally holding the igniting unit and heatingelement in deep inoperative position on the holder; means for closing anenergizing circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit ismoved to an intermediate position on the holder, said holding meansholding the heating element in the deep position against outwardmovement with the igniting unit and comprising an abutment on the holderand latches on the igniting unit; and means responsive to the expansionof the heating element when the latter has been heated to apredetermined heat operable to release the latches from engagement withthe abutment.

5. In an electric cigar lighter, a holder; an igniting unit mounted inthe holder for complete removal for use; a heating element, of suchresistance as will be brought to the desired heat substantiallyinstantaneously upon being energized, mounted on the gniting unit andadapted to be used to ignite smokers articles when brought to thedesired heat; means for normally holding the igniting unit and heatingelement in deep inoperative position on the holder; means for closing anenergizing circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit ismoved to an intermediate position on the holder, said holding meansdelaying Withdrawal of the heating element to said intermediate positionwith the igniting unit; and means responsive to the expansion of theheating element when the latter has heated to a predetermined heat torelease the last-mentioned means.

6. In an electric cigar lighter, a holder; an igniting unit mounted onthe holder for complete removal for use; a heating element mounted onthe igniting unit, one end of the heating element being fixed to .theigniting unit and the other end being disposed for relative movement; arotatable stud mounted on the heating element and having one end securedto the movable end of the heating element; means for closing anenergizing circuit through the heating element; and means for holdingthe heating element in circuit-closing position in the holder comprisingmeans mounted on the rotatable stud and engaging an abutment formed onthe holder and adapted to be released therefrom. by rotation of thestudl due to the heating element expanding When itv has been heated to apredetermined heat, whereby the igniting unit and heating element arefree to be removed from the holder.

7. In an electric cigar lighter, a holder; an igniting unit mounted onthe holder for complete removal for use; a heating element mounted onthe igniting unit, one end of the heating element being fixed to theigniting unit and the other end being disposed for relative movement; arotatable stud mounted on the heating element and having one end securedto the movable end of the heating element; means for closing anenergizing circuit through the heating element; and latch means pivotedto the rotatable stud and engaging an abutment formed on the holder andadapted to be released therefrom by rotation of the stud due to theheating element expanding when it has been heated to a predeterminedheat, whereby the igniting unit and heating element can be removed fromthe holder.

8. In an electric cigar lighter, a holder; an igniting unit mounted onthe holder for complete removal for use; a heating element mounted onthe igniting unit, one end of the heating element being fixed to theigniting unit and the other end being disposed for relative movement; arotatable stud mounted on the igniting unit and having one end securedto the movable end of the heating element; means for closing anenergizing circuit through the heating element; latch means pivoted tothe rotatable stud; guide slots in. the igniting unit through which thelatches extend; and an abutment formed on the holder and adapted to beengaged bythe latches to hold the heating element in deep position andto be released therefrom by rotation of the stud due to the heatingelement expanding when it has been heated to a predetermined heat,whereby the igniting unit and heating element can be removed from theholder.

9. In an electric cigar lighter, a holder; an igniting unit mounted onthe holder for complete removal for use; a heating element mounted onthe igniting unit, one end of the heating element being fixed to theigniting unit and the other end being disposed for relative movement; arotatable stud mounted on the igniting unit and having one end securedto the movable end of the heating element; means for closing anenergizing circuiti` through the heating element; latch means pivoted tothe rotatable stud; and an internal rib formed in the holder to providean abutment to be engaged by the latches. the latches being releasedfrom the abutment by rotation of the stud due to the heating elementexpanding when it has been heated `,to a predetermined heat, Whereby theigniting unit and heating element can be removed.

10. In an electric cigar lighter, a holder; an igniting unit mounted onthe holder for complete removal for use; a bimetallic heating elementmounted on the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through theheating element; means for holding the heating element incircuit-closing position in the holder; and means responsive to theexpansion of the bimetallic heating element, when the latter has beenheated to a predetermined heat, to release the holding means, said meansfor closing the circuit through the heating element including abimetallic contact in the base adapted to open the circuit through theheating element should the latter be retained too long incircuit-closing position.

11. In an electric cigar lighter, a holder; an

igniting unit mounted in the holder for complete removal for use; aheating element yield'ably mounted on the igniting unit and adapted tobe used to ignite smokers articles when incandescent; means for normallyholding the igniting unit in deep inoperative position on the holder;means for closing an energizing circuit through the heating element whenthe igniting unit is moved to an intermediate position on the holder;means for holding the heating element in the deep position againstoutward movement with the igniting unit; and means responsive to theexpansion of the heating element when the latter has been heated to apredetermined heat to release the holding means, whereby the yieldingmeans moves the heating element to open-circuit position.

12. In an electric cigar lighter, a metallic holder having contactsthereon forming a part of an energizing circuit; an insulating means formounting the holder on the grounded dashboard of an automobile; anigniting unit mounted on the holder for use; a heating element carriedby the igniting unit; and means for closing a circuit through theheating element including a contact carried by the igniting unit andoperable upon movement of at least a portion of the igniting unit tobridge the insulating means and electrically connect the heating elementcircuitto Athe dashboard.

13. In an electric cigar lighter, a metallic holder having contactsthereon forming a part of an energizing circuit; means for insulatedlymounting the holder on a grounded dashboard of an' automobilefcomprisingan insulating block 'clamped to the dashboard of the automobile andprovided with means for securing l.the holder thereto; an igniting unitmounted on the holder` for removal for use; and means for closing saidcircuit Athrough the heating element including a means operable bymovement of at least a portion of the igniting unit to bridge theinsulating block to connect the circuit to the dashboard of theautomobile for energizing the heating element.

14. In an electric cigar lighter, a metallic holder; means forinsulatedly mounting the holder on a dashboard of an automobile, comprising an insulating block clamped to the dashboard of the automobileand provided with means for securing the holder thereto; an ignitingunit mounted on the holder for removal for use; and means on the cigarlighter including a bridging Contact movable from a normal open-circuitposition to simultaneously connect to the metallic holder and dashboardfor closing the circuit through the heating element to the dashboard ofthe automobile for energizing the heating element. Y

15. In an electric cigar lighter adapted to be mounted on the dashboardof an automobile, an insulating sleeve having an internal rib formedtherein; a sleeve of conducting material secured in one end of theinsulating sleeve and abutting against the internal rib and adapted toextend from the end of the insulating sleeve and through an opening inthe dashboard; a collar threaded on the sleeve `for clamping thedashboard between the insulating sleeve and the collar; a holder securedto the other end of the insulating sleeve; an igniting unit mounted inthe holder and normally help in deep position therein; andcontactscarried by the igniting unit for closing a circuit through the heatingelement when the igniting unit is moved out of deep position, saidcontacts normally resting on the internal rib on the insulating sleevein open-circuit position when the igniting unit is in deep position.

16. In an electric cigar lighter adapted to be mounted on theldas-hboard of an automobile, an insulating sleeve having an internalrib formed therein; a sleeve of .conducting material secured to one endof the insulating sleeve and adapted to extend through an opening in thedashboard; a collar threaded on the sleeve for clamping the dashboardbetween the insulating sleeve and the collar; a holder secured to theother end of the insulating sleeve; an igniting unit mounted in theholder and normally held in deep position therein; and 'contacts carriedby the igniting unit for closing a circuit through the heating elementwhen the igniting unit is moved out of deep position, said contactsbeing constructed and arranged to bridge 'the insulation and connect theholder to the metallic sleeve to complete the circuit to the heatingelement when the igniting unit is moved out of deep position,

17. In an electric cigar lighter, a holder insulatedly mounted on thedashboard of an automobile or the like; an igniting unit mounted on theholder for complete removal for use, said igniting unit comprising abody of insulating material having an internal recess; a movable membermounted in the recess and having an insulating support mounted thereon;yielding means for urging the insulated support inlto engagement withthe insulated body of the igniting unit; a heating element mounted onthe movable support; latch means mounted on the insulating support; anabutment on the holder adapted to be engaged by the latch means innormal position to hold the heating element in deep position in theholding means, said yielding means permitting the insulated body of theigniting unit t be moved outwardly in ithe holder; contacts carried bythe insulated body for bridging the insulation of the holder when in thelast-named position for completing a circuit through the heatingelement; and means connecting the latches to the heating element -forreleasing the latches when the heating element attains a predeterminedtemperature.

18. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unitmounted in the holding device for complete removal for use; a heatingelement carried by the igniting unit and adapted to be used to ignitesmokers articles when incandescent; latch means carried by the ignitingunit and yielidngly engaging the Walls of the holder; means foryieldingly holding the igniting unit in shallow open-circuit position;means for closing the cincuit through the heating element when theheating elemenit is moved into deep position;

an abutment formed on the holder for engage ment by the latches when theheating element is moved into deep position; and means, responsive tothe expansion of the heating element, for releasing the latches wherebythe yielding means moves the igniting unit into open-circuit position.

19. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unitmounted in the holding device for complete removal for use; a. heatingelemenlt mounted on the igniting unit. one end of the heating elementbeing fixed to the igniting unit and the other end being mounted forrelative movement thereto; a rotatable stud carried by the ignitingunilt and connected to the movable end of the heating element; latchmeans secured to the rotatable stud, said means being yieldingly urgedinto engagement with the walls of the holder; meansy for yieldinglyholding the igniting unit in shallow open-circuit position; means forclosing the circuit through the heating element When the heating elementis moved into deep position; an abutment on the holder for engagement bythe latches when the heating element is moved into deep position; andmeans, responsive to the expansion of the heating element, for releasingthe latches whereby the yielding means moves the igniting unit intoopen-circuit position.

20. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding ydevice; an igniting unitmounted in the holding device for complete removal for use; a heatingelement carried by the igniting unit; latch means carried by theigniting unit and yieldingly engaging the walls of the holder; means foryieldingly holding the igniting unit in shallow opencircuit position;means for closing the circuit through fthe heating element when theheating element is moved into deep position; an abutment on the holderfor engagement by the latches when the heating element is moved intodeep position; and means, responsive to the expansion of the heatingelement, for releasing the latches whereby the yielding means moves theigniting unit into open-circuit position, said circuit-closing meansincluding binnetallic contacts adapted to open the circuit to thehealting element, should the heating element be retained too long indeep circuit-closing position.

21. In a cigar lighter having a holding device, an igniting unit mountedthereon and adapted to be completely withdrawn manually therefrom foruse; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; a circuit includinga normally open circuit-closing contact means carried by said ignitingunit for energizing said heating element; and manually operablecontact-actuating means mounted on said igniting unit for relativemovement with respect thereto to actuate the contact means carriedthereby to close said circuit incident only to movement thereofoutwardly with respect to said unit in response to an outward forcenecessary to withdraw the igniting unilt from the holding device beingexerted thereon.

22. In an electric cigar lighter having a holding device, an ignitingunit mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use;retaining means fo-r holding the igniting unit in a given position onthe holding device against withdrawal therefrom, said igniting unithaving a portion provided with a handle mounted for limited relativemovement with respect thereto and means for urging said handle inwardly;a heating element carried by the igniting unit; an energizing circuitfor the heating element, including circuit-closing contact means on theigniting unit operated to close the circuit by movement of the handleportion outwardly against said urging means While the igniting unit isheld against withdrawal movement b-y said retaining means; and meansresponsive to the heating of the heating element for releasing theretaining means upon the heating element reaching a predetermined heat,whereupon continued outward pull on the handle portion will remove theigniting unit from. the holding device.

23. In a cigar lighter having a holding device, an igniting unitsupported by the holding device for complete withdrawal for use, saidigniting unit having -a handle mounted thereon for limited relativemovement with respect thereto; a heating element carried by the ignitingunit; retaining means for holding the igniting `unit against withdrawal;a circuit for energizing said heating element including circuit-closingcontact means carried by the igniting unilt; means for holding saidcircuit-closing Contact means in open-circuit position, saidcircuitclosing contact means being moved against the means for holdingsaid contact means in opencincuit position to close the circuit incidentonly to outward movement of the handle in response 10 to a pulling forcebeing exerted thereon; and means. for releasingy the retaining meansupon the heating element attaining a desired heat, said means forholding the circuit-closing contact means in open-circuit positionreturning said contact means to said open position upon the pullingforce being released prior to release of the retaining means andwithdrawal of the igniting unit.

HERBERT G. LEHMANN.

